Trending Now - Coast Guard Probes Deaths of 2 Crew Members on Alaska Barge

WHO:

Sidney Mohorovich, deceased crew member, age 28

Ben Fowler, deceased crew member

Todd Mohorovich, father of Sidney Mohorovich

Eva Mohorovich, mother of Sidney Mohorovich

Alexander Ransom, Coast Guard spokesperson

Capt. Stanley Fields, commander of Coast Guard Sector Southeast Alaska

Hamilton Marine Construction, employer of Sidney Mohorovich

WHAT:

Two crew members were killed and two others were injured in a "confined space incident."

The incident occurred aboard the freight barge Waynehoe.

The tugboat crew called the Coast Guard for help after losing contact with the crew members.

One deceased crew member was recovered by the tugboat crew, and the second was recovered after the barge was towed to Ketchikan.

The two survivors were reported to be in good condition.

WHERE:

The incident occurred aboard the barge Waynehoe, moored about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska.

The bodies were sent to Anchorage, Alaska, for autopsies.

WHEN:

The incident occurred on March 15th, 2026.

A mayday call was received at 9:14 a.m. local time on March 15th, 2026.

WHY:

Methane gas was reported to be present in the confined space, although the source was not identified.

HOW:

The Coast Guard defined "confined space" as a compartment of small size and limited access that can create hazardous exposure.

The tugboat crew managed to recover one deceased crew member and helped the two survivors exit the confined space before the Coast Guard arrived.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 13:24 UTC)

Tragedy struck on March 15 when two crew members were killed and two others injured in a confined space incident aboard the freight barge Waynehoe, which was moored about 25 miles northwest of Ketchikan, Alaska. The Coast Guard received a mayday call at 9:14 a.m. local time, and while one deceased crew member was recovered by the tugboat crew, the second was found after the barge was towed to Ketchikan; the two survivors are reported to be in good condition. Methane gas was detected in the confined space, although the source remains unidentified, and the bodies of the deceased crew members have been sent to Anchorage for autopsies.